CVE-2019-8534 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A logic issue existed resulting in memory corruption. This was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14.4, Security Update 2019-002 High Sierra, Security Update 2019-002 Sierra. A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8534 represents a critical logic flaw within the macOS kernel that enabled unauthorized privilege escalation through memory corruption. This issue stems from inadequate state management mechanisms within the operating system's core components, creating a pathway for malicious software to bypass security controls and execute code with elevated kernel privileges. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by a specially crafted application to gain root-level access to the system. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-248, which describes an "Uncaught Exception" scenario where an application fails to handle exceptional conditions properly, leading to unintended behavior and potential security breaches. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Apple's operating system including macOS Mojave 10.14.4, Security Update 2019-002 High Sierra, and Security Update 2019-002 Sierra, indicating a widespread impact across the macOS ecosystem. The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Local Port Knocking" and related privilege escalation methods that leverage system-level weaknesses to gain elevated access. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates a particularly dangerous attack surface since kernel-level code execution can be used to manipulate system processes, bypass security controls, and potentially establish persistent access. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through improved state management protocols that prevent the conditions leading to memory corruption. This remediation approach follows best practices for kernel security by ensuring proper resource handling and state validation, thereby preventing malicious applications from triggering the vulnerability. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue places it within the broader category of attacks that target system integrity and user security boundaries. Organizations and users should prioritize applying the relevant security updates to mitigate this risk, as the potential for exploitation remains significant given the kernel-level privileges that can be gained. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust state management in operating system components and highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for kernel-level code to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.